Starting today, the Irish inclined can party six ways till Sunday, which is St. Patrick's Day. Events abound, including a don't-miss concert by renowned Chicago-based Celtic band the Tossers tonight at the Crooked I (page 20) and a night with Irish storyteller and writer Malachy McCourt on Friday in Fredonia, N.Y., (page 27).

On Sunday, you can party from sunup as bars open early to serve bangers and mash, green eggs and ham and -- if you're game that early -- green beer.

Jay Eggleston has green game. For St. Patrick's Day in 2012, he sported a green Mohawk wig, painted his face the colors of the Irish flag and rode on Sherlock's float in the St. Patrick's Day parade. He's gearing up for another round of fun.

"I'll probably go with a couple of friends and do it Saturday and Sunday. I try to do most of the Irish pubs and then the local watering holes," said Eggleston, 23, who prefers Irish beer, such as Guinness and Smithwick's. "There's just a lot of heritage to (the day). A lot of Irish people and a lot of Irish music."

For some, the fun will begin with Saturday's parade at 2 p.m., which kicks off at 11th and State streets and winds up in front of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

"I know a lot of the establishments around State (Street) use it as their kickoff," said Michele Wheaton, the parade organizer. "No matter what the weather is, the Saturday before is a good day for it because things start to wind up for St. Patrick's Day."

The weather forecast isn't like 2012's, when Erie enjoyed a rare crazy-warm St. Patrick's Day. Still, with help from reliable sponsors (including Erie Insurance, Sullivan's, Sherlock's/Park Place and the Erie Times-News) and volunteers, the parade will draw its usual green-clad crowd.

So will downtown bars, including Sherlock's, which celebrates St. Patrick's Day especially hard because it's also the bar's birthday. The downtown staple opened in 1977, and Park Place followed suit by debuting on St. Patrick's Day several years later. They tag-team this holiday.

"We're planning for a big party again this year, as we do every year," said the club's Bev Walker. "Hopefully, the weather cooperates, but I've been in years with snowstorms and it's always good. But I don't think anything could be like last year. That was insanity."

Sherlock's will celebrate its first Guinness toast of the weekend just before Paddy Whacked plays Saturday at 6 p.m., then continue them hourly. Geek Army (2 p.m.) and I-90s (10 p.m.) also play Saturday, and the party rolls onward Sunday with a DJ at 7 a.m., followed by the Vendettas, Geek Army, more Paddy Whacked, Money Shot and I-90s.

Molly Brannigans is always a green hot spot, though new general manager Michael O'Connor has yet to experience it. "Everybody says that people in Erie schedule their vacation days around St. Patrick's Day," he said.

Get ready, bub. It'll be shamrocking with music, Rince na Tiarna dancers, Irish fare and more. Like many places, Molly's will open at 7 a.m. on Sunday; it'll serve up kegs and eggs, rashers of bacon, bangers (sausages) and more. Breakfast is at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Of course, it also has Irish beers and whiskey, especially whiskey.

"We have the largest Irish whiskey selection anywhere in the region. I brag about that," O'Connor said. "The company (Pernod Ricard) that brings Irish spirits into the U.S. photographed our bar and uses it on the home page of their website. So, we're doing it right, I think."

Practically every downtown bar -- including Irish staples Sullivan's and Scully's Pub -- will do it up. But you needn't make State Street your home. Irish Cousins in Lawrence Park will also beat the bodhran and pass out beads. Look for Hammersmith on Friday, DJ Josh Walters on Saturday, and Irish breakfast and DJ Brian Waller on Sunday.

"This is my favorite day of the year," said Joe Steiner, the Cousins' general manager. "We get the tour buses here, and it gets crazy. We're pretty good-sized, but we're going to be packed throughout the day. We've seen some characters on St. Patrick's Day. The people here, they're just good spirited."

Crowley's in Cranesville also goes gonzo; it'll have live music all weekend; see page 15. Oasis Pub serves up pints of green beer, Irish games and music and breakfast (9 a.m.) on Sunday.

We're barely scratching the green surface here, so check your favorite place for what's on tap.